Bressie to play intimate Ruby Room show

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

The Blizzards were one of Ireland’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll deals, but that did not stop their guitarist and singer Niall Breslin deciding in January 2010 that he needed a new challenge. “We had six amazing years together,” he reflects. “The gigs, the fans, the other guys in the band… it was all brilliant, but I’ve always found myself being embraced by all genre directions. Not only as a writer and a performer, but as a producer too; I’m fascinated by every part of the music-making process.” He has managed to combine both musical genres to glorious effect as can be heard on his debut solo single, ‘Can’t Stay Young (Forever)’.

Stunning drama Brighton at the Linenhall

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

The warm, funny, poignant and critically acclaimed new Irish play Brighton by Jim Nolan plays at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday October 5 at 8pm.

Two exhibitions at Custom House studios as part of Westport Arts Festival

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Custom House Studios Westport Quay with Westport Arts Festival 2011 is hosting two new exhibitions, Glass Flowers by Emma Bourke which runs until October 23, and The Past is Another Country by Jackie Nickerson which runs until October 16.

An Evening with Mike Absalom at the Ballina Arts Centre

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

On Thursday, October 6, Ballina Arts Centre will present: An Evening with Mike Absalom. The Swinford-based painter, poet, raconteur, multi-instrumentalist, multi-linguist, potter, printmaker, songwriter – the list goes on – has done it all. Forty-odd years ago, he performed at the Royal Albert Hall. Monty Python’s Flying Circus hired him to distract a studio audience during scene changes. This brought songwriting success and the Old Grey Whistle Test and endless tours. And then he flew away and like a bee in a flower garden touched down in so many honeyed spots that there is no space here to list them. From Tierra del Fuego to the Yukon, from Iran to Paraguay and even for the World Harp Congress he sang and wrote and told stories and played his harp or his guitar. Now he’s coming to tell them here at home.

John McNichol is coming to Newport

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

Country music star John McNichol and his band are winging their way west next weekend, when they take to the stage in Hotel Newport on Saturday, October 8. In 2001 John was the proud recipient of the Best Newcomer Award from Country Music UK. Among other great highlights of John’s singing career to date include sharing a stage with Daniel O’Donnell and Sir Cliff Richard at the Kincasslagh Festival, County Donegal. John also played support to the legendary Elton John.

Beginners next up at Westport Film Club

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

The next screening of the Westport Film Club will take place in Westport Cineplex on Wednesday October 5 at 8.45pm with a screening of Beginners. From Mike Mills, the writer/director of Thumbsucker, comes a new comedy drama about how deeply funny and transformative life can be, even in its most serious moments. Beginners unfolds through two intertwined storylines of Oliver and his father, Hal: in the present day, Oliver grudgingly attends a Halloween party where he meets Anna, an alluring French actress. But even as their budding courtship progresses, Oliver finds himself constantly dwelling upon his recently deceased father’s last years. At the age of 75, shortly after the death of his wife, Oliver’s father Hal came out of the closet.

All- Ireland Poetry Day 2011 in Mayo

Fri, Sep 30, 2011

All Ireland Poetry Day this year takes place on October 6 and Mayo County Council Arts Office and Library Service have announced that on the day Mayo poets will have the opportunity to take part in Poetry Snack workshops at Castlebar Library on the day.

Poetry Snack workshops offer poets an opportunity to bring along a poem-in-progress for feedback. Martin Dyar and Susan Millar DuMars will be at Castlebar Library from 3pm until 6pm to offer one to one responses to individual poets about their poems and to engage with whatever other queries they might have.

Halyard reform for Finbar Hoban Presents Last Waltz at Bar Ritz

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

Over the past three years local alternative DJ Finbar Hoban has bought some of the best Irish bands to Bar Ritz on the main street in Castlebar. Finbar came up with a plan in 2008 to bring back a live original music scene to the county town that had not been seen since the days of the Humbert Inn, in supporting original bands in the Mayo area and across the Irish music scene by running a monthly show at Bar Ritz titled Finbar Hoban Presents. Trying to re-invent a live original music scene in the Castlebar area was never going to be an easy task.

Come Back to Mayo for Culture Night

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

Ballina is about to become home to Ireland’s newest world class cultural institution. Work is well under way on the refurbishment of the Thomas Manly Deane designed Provincial Bank on the town’s main street. Next year the stunning listed building will become the permanent base for Mayo County Council’s Jackie Clarke Collection, which will be one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. It is not surprising then that Ballina will be a focal point for Culture Night 2011, tonight September 23.

Wide and varied selection of events for Culture Night in Ballina

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

On Friday September 23 arts venues throughout the country throw open their doors for an evening of public participation in the arts. At the Ballina Arts Centre they have an array of events for the public to try out. Be it music, dance, film or printmaking, there is something for everyone.

St Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport, goes from strength to strength

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

There is no stopping St Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport. The group will stage their next production Doubt from October 5 to 8, just four weeks after completing a hugely successful run with the hilarious comedy Widows Paradise, culminating in a two night run in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar.

Fawlty Towers is coming back to the Royal Theatre

Fri, Sep 23, 2011

The Show that delighted customers last September makes a welcome return to The Royal Theatre this October 7 and 8 after selling out two dates last year. Fawlty Towers… The Dining Experience is truly a night not to be missed, if you didn’t get there the first time round don’t miss your chance this time.

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